Zimra to target digital economy in 2026

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has announced plans to roll out a comprehensive e-commerce platform in 2026, aimed at ensuring operators in the growing digital economy, including e-hailing services like InDrive and Bed and Breakfast (BNB) establishments, comply fully with tax obligations.

The initiative follows the successful implementation of the Tax and Revenue Management System (TARMS) and represents ZIMRA's most decisive effort to date to formalise digital transactions and broaden the tax base.

Speaking to Zimpapers, Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Misheck Govha emphasised that all traders benefiting from the Zimbabwean market must contribute their fair share. "Every trader in Zimbabwe should make sure that they are compliant, and they pay their taxes. The source of those revenues is Zimbabwe. And as such, Zimbabwe has got the entitlement to take the right for those incomes," he said.

Commissioner Govha issued a clear warning that compliance will not be optional. "We have no one we are going to leave behind as far as registration is concerned of those who are BNBs and InDrives. Even if you own the vehicle, make sure that it is properly registered and is actually subscribing according to the laws of the country," he said.

ZIMRA already has several BNBs and e-hailing operators registered and taxed under the Income Tax Act. However, the new platform is expected to bring all remaining operators into the system, including international players whose Zimbabwean-sourced revenue will now be taxed under robust legislative frameworks.

Commissioner Govha added: "Everyone, whether you are outside the country or inside the country, the treatment is the same; the source of the revenue is Zimbabwe and as such we have to take it."

The e-commerce platform is part of ZIMRA's broader strategy to digitalise tax collection, improve compliance, and strengthen revenue mobilisation from emerging sectors in the country.